Athletic director and coach Rodney Cephas said the trip to Florida would be a dream come true for the young players. He described them as good kids who deserve support from their D.C. community.

“These young guys and girls they do their best in school,” Cephas said. “As a community and a city we need to support our youth and everything they do positive. They’re not in trouble. They do their homework; they take out the trash; they do the dishes. We need to support our youth.”

There are 104 players on the teams ranging from 6 to 14 years old, including two girls.

“I want to be a girl that plays football,” said Hope. At 9 years old, she’s one of the D tackles on the team. She told WUSA9’s Bruce Johnson she has dreams of playing in the NFL.

“I want to let all the girls out in the world know they can be anything they want to be,” Hope said.

Parents said the Beacon House program has played an important role in raising their children.

“They're extremely committed students,” one mother said. “I’m a single mother, and Beacon House has been a village to help me raise my son. They offer mentoring; they build character, leadership skills. He’s an honor roll student, and he’s an athlete.”

Beacon House needs to raise $45,000 by Friday morning. The costs cover buses, hotels, and fees for all 104 players.